1.20.2007

Genetic counseling is a communication process that deals with human problems associated with the occurrence or risk of a genetic disorder in a family. Counseling involves genetic screening, whereby a high-risk or general population is analyzed to detect the presence of disease, and case finding for couples at potential risk based on medical/family histories. The process can be prospective (counseling delivered to a client/couple of reproductive age before conception or before the birth of an affected child), or it can be retrospective/postnatal (counseling delivered after the birth of an affected child). In many cases, however, the need for genetic counseling first becomes apparent during the first trimester.

(Refer also to care plan [CP]: The High-Risk Pregnancy, as appropriate.)

History of two or more first-trimester abortions, fetal demise, or previous child with chromosomal abnormalityBirth trauma or identifiable genetically transmitted disorderUse of ovulation stimulant such as clomiphene (Clomid) or menotropins (Pergonal)